Chapter 23

Lunch was finally over and Lucy could at last breathe without any Natsu around. It's so weird, he's been clinging on to me more than usual today. The girl thought as she tried to slow down her heart beat.

"Okay now what class do I have? Ah yes theatre arts. The class where I have Natsu." the blonde sighed with a blush in her cheeks walking over to where her classroom was.

When Lucy got there she noticed that Natsu had already been there but he was talking to Gray, and Gajeel as usual. Maybe he wont notice- the girl was thinking until she was interrupted by Natsu calling over to the girl.

"Hey Luce!" the boy yelled waving to Lucy with a toothy grin.

"Would you shut the hell up! I'm pretty sure she knows you're here" Gajeel blurted out in annoyance.

"Are you trying to start something metal face?" Natsu retorted back turning all of his attention to Gajeel.

"So what if I am?" Gajeel replied.

They continued arguing as always and Lucy was grateful for once that they have started to argue. It gave her enough time to move past him and walk towards Jellal and Levy.

"Hey I'm here!" Lucy said putting both arms over Levy and Jellal. Jellal just sighed and Levy giggled at the blondes funny antics.

"Hey Levy, why aren't you with your boyfriend? Aren't you guys supposed to be like I don't know… together 24/7?"

Levy immediately blushed at the blonde's question. "N-no! O-ofcourse not! Not all the t-time" Levy replied trying to quickly change the subject.

"JELLAL ASKED ERZA ON A DATE" Levy blurted to try and get the attention away from her.

Lucy immediately gasped and turned to Jellal with narrow eyes. "You Idiot! And you didn't tell me! I am your best friend! The one you tell everything to! I am going to kick your mother-"

Jellal quickly put his hand over the blonde's mouth to shut her up. "I was going to tell you. But Levy beat me to it I suppose" the blue haired boy merely stated retreating his hand from Lucy's mouth.

"Whatever" the blonde huffed crossing her arms in front of her chest. "You guys are going to leave me for your stupid ass boyfriend/girlfriend. How annoying, maybe I should get a boyfriend." The blonde said but never actually meant it. However, there was a certain someone who actually took it serious.

"I can change that for you Luce" a seductive voice whispered in her ear as he wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders in a tight grasp.

Lucy squeaked since she knew exactly who the culprit was. "N-natsu! W-when did you get here?"

"I don't know, I guess about 5 minutes." The salmon head boy said still holding on to the girl but finally let go when the teacher came in to start their lesson.

"Okay everyone take your seats. We have two new students that are going to be joining us today. You may come in now!" Evergreen yelled.

The door opened revealing that Sting and Rogue were the ones that were joining their class for the rest of the year. Lucy eyed the two, they both had on the school white button shirt with the small emblem on the right side of their chest. Sting's shirt was unbuttoned since he had a white shirt under and was also matching black pants with a chain hanging from his pocket. Rogue had his white shirt buttoned except for the top two that was revealing his chest, he also had black skinny jeans to match. So in other words, they looked hot.

As soon as they came in through the doors, the girl's squealed and some had even managed to faint. Natsu kept eyeing the reaction Lucy had and was slightly irritated since she widened her eyes a little when they walked in through the door.

"Silence! Now please introduce yourselves." The teacher Mrs. Evergreen told the two.

Sting was the first to respond with his usual grin, "Yo, I'm Sting. It's nice to meet you all" the girls awed and stared dreamily at the young blonde man. Rogue was next and like Sting had told Lucy before, he wasn't much of a talker.

"I'm Rogue" the black haired boy said with no emotion in it at all. Even though it was only two words that the young man had said, it was enough to make the girls go crazy since he had a mysterious type of aura that they found attractive.

Everyone was distracted by the greetings of their new classmates that they didn't even notice Gajeel and Natsu take a seat behind Lucy and Levy.

"Okay now that we're done with presentations. Sting and Rogue, you can take a seat anywhere you'd like as long as no one is sitting there" Evergreen said to the two.

Sting scanned the area until he caught Lucy's eyes and smirked as she stared back. He elbowed Rogue to get his attention and as he faced where Sting was looking he looked next to the blonde to where he met Levy's gaze and turned to face Sting with a nod and they both made their way towards the two.

Rogue sat in front of Levy as Sting took a seat in front of Lucy. As soon as they took their seats Evergreen began to read lines from Hamlet making Sting turn back to talk to the blonde girl.

"Hey blondie. Missed me?" the boy said with a charming smile.

"No" Lucy chuckled as his smile had no effect on her.

"Your words hurt blondie. How about you make it up to me by going out on a date with me on Friday?"

Lucy didn't get to respond since someone answered for the girl. "She cant." An annoyed Natsu responded making Sting glare behind the blonde where Natsu was.

I have a feeling that this is not going to end well, Lucy thought nervously.

"I think she can respond on her own" Sting replied coldly to the boy.

"Sorry let me rephrase that. She can't because she has a date with me. Now stay away from her and don't even think about talking to her." Natsu said harshly back.

"Then I think we should let her decide on who she would rather go with. What do you say blondie? Do you want to go with someone like him? Or me?" Sting said looking towards Lucy.

The blonde didn't have to turn back to know that Natsu was staring intensively at her. She can feel his gaze in the back of her head. Shit, why do they have to put me on the spot like this, Lucy thought with a frustrated look.

"U-um I think we should just cool down and ignore this whole thing. Yea?" Lucy replied hoping to change the subject.

"No no no. You have to give an answer here and now. Come on, don't be shy" Sting said as he reached towards the girls chin and turned her to face towards his.

"I said not to fucking touch her" Natsu hissed pulling Lucy back towards her seat making Sting let go of her chin.

"Oops sorry, must've forgot already." Sting said smirking at a glaring pink haired boy. He then turned towards the blonde with a small smile across his face. "So, your answer?"

Lucy didn't really have to think about it much to give an answer. "Natsu. I'd rather go out on Friday with Natsu. I made a bet with him so… Sorry Sting" The blonde responded avoiding Sting's eyes. But is it because of some bet? Or was it more than that?

Sting furrowed his brows at her answer while Natsu sighed a relief and smiled towards the blonde even though she wasn't looking towards the boy.

"There's your answer. Now turn the fuck around and like I said before, don't come near her" the salmon head boy said to Sting.

"Hmph, we'll see about that Dragneel" Sting replied with a smirk turning around. Natsu clenched his fist at his smart ass remark containing himself from starting a scene or resulting in him going to the principal's office.

Lucy took a glance back and saw that Natsu was angry but when the boy caught her eyes it was like that anger completely washed away. He smiled at the girl causing Lucy to smile back and turned her attention back to Evergreen.

X

Lucy was finally heading over to detention as she was sighing from a long ass day. She had Sting and Rogue for P.E and Chemistry resulting in Natsu and Sting to almost start a fight AGAIN.

What the hell am I going to do with those two, The girl thought bringing a hand to brush through her hair. Lucy had finally gotten to the classroom only to notice that Natsu had not yet arrived.

Weird… he's usually here by the time I get here. Lucy thought but merely brushed it off and took a seat in her usual spot taking out her phone to text Levi.

Lucy: Levi, when did you realize you started liking Gajeel?

Levy: Uhh that's an odd question…

Lucy: This is a real question. I'm not making fun of you

Levy: Well okay I guess… It was when I first met him. Everyone was always scared of the guy. I was too a little, but one day when someone tripped me causing me to scrape my knee. He was there and saw what happened. He ended up beating the guy and forcing him to apologize to me. Ever since then I always thought he was sweet.

Lucy: Wow. Just. Wow. I had no idea Gajeel had a heart. He isn't the type to be nice unless it he got something out of it, and that something had to be very important for him to resort to being kind.

Levy: Yea well neither did I, but people can always change I guess.

Lucy: Or maybe he changed for you.

Levy: No! He wouldn't!

Lucy: lol. Well I think he would, anyways I gotta go. Talk to you later!

Levy: Bye Lu

The blonde locked her phone and looked up when she suddenly locked her eyes with black onyx eyes. Lucy jumped back at Natsu's sudden and close presence. "W-when did you get here?! I didn't even hear the door open!"

Natsu chuckled at the girl's reaction, "A little while ago. So, what's so important on your phone that you blocked out everyone?" he said with a smirk leaning close to the girl.

"U-uh I wouldn't q-quite say it was something important on my p-phone but… Can you please stop getting so close!" the girl said as she placed her hands on Natsu's chest to try and get some distance from each other.

Natsu however refused and grabbed both her hands leaned closer to the girl again. "Hey Luce, I got a question." He whispered into the girl's ear.

Lucy fidgeted as he felt his hot breath, "W-what is it?" she said questioning the boy as she started getting a blush on her cheeks.

Natsu moved away from her ear to face the girl, "Do you… feel something for Sting?" the boy said. Concern filling his eyes with a hint of sadness looking intensely at Lucy hoping he will find and answer.

Why would he ask that? I thought it was pretty obvious that I didn't like Sting. Sure we would talk here and there but it was never anything more. Lucy thought as she slightly tilted her head in question. "Of course I don't have feelings for him. Why do you ask?"

Natsu looked relieved at her answer and let out a breath he was holding. The boy rested his chin on his hand facing the girl. "No reason. So about our date tomorrow…" Natsu said with a sly grin.

Lucy immediately blushed at his words. "What about it?" the girl replied trying her best to not and stutter.

"Just wondering if you got anything in mind. You know, restaurants, parks, movies, arcades. Anything?"

Lucy thought about the places but couldn't think of anything in particular that she would actually have a great time in. "How about you surprise me."

Natsu raised his brows, "Surprise huh?" the boy said in a question. It was then that the boy got an idea and smirked at his genius plan. "I got it." He said making Lucy question him.

"Really? Where?"

Natsu brought a finger to his lips and said, "It's a secret" winking at the girl causing Lucy to blush.

It was then that time appeared to go fast when they actually talked to each other since the alarm rang signaling the two that they can go home. Lucy was about to grab her bag but Natsu apparently snatched it before she could get a hold of it insisting on carrying it as they both walked home.

Throughout the whole walk they talked like regular friends and sometimes they would even laugh as one or the other would tell a joke or a funny story. For once Lucy actually liked Natsu's company, his presence made her feel at ease and comfortable.

They finally made it to the girl's home and Natsu gave back Lucy's bag as they said their goodbyes. But as the blonde was walking to her front door the boy called out to her.

"Lucy!" he yelled making Lucy turn.

"What is it?" the girl questioned.

"Wear casual clothes tomorrow" he said with a smirk and turned around walking back to his home.

Casual clothes? The girl thought looking at his back. She then smiled as she realized what he meant and walked over to her house taking a quick shower before she went to bed.

As Lucy was laying down on her bed she couldn't understand why she was feeling a little excited for tomorrow. It's just a day out with Natsu… No big deal. The girl thought. Ugh great I'm starting to think I look like one of his fangirls. She thought in disgust as she drifted off in sleep.

X

Lucy woke up not because she was awaken by her annoying alarm clock no. She was awaken by a loud knock on her door that was drastically getting louder every time she didn't get up to open the door. The girl sprang up in annoyance and looked over to the digital clock that was next to her bed.

"Who the hell is knocking at 5:00 in the fucking morning" Lucy said with an irritable tone that was scary to anyone.

The girl got up and walked over to her door wearing her blue pajamas with yellow stars all around and her top was just a regular black spaghetti top that was loose and comfortable showing a little bit of her stomach. She put her hair in a quick ponytail and walked over to her door getting ready to beat the person's ass.

"Would you calm-" the girl was left speechless once she opened the door and realized who the person was. It was none other than Natsu Dragneel standing on her porch with the same grin he always had on wearing a plain red shirt and black skinny jeans with a chain hanging from one of his pockets. He still had his scarf wrapped around his neck like he always had and his pink locks were as messy as ever. But it was the kind of messy that always looked good on little old Dragneel. The girls got to admit, the boy looked extremely hot right now.

"Hey Luce. Ready for our date?" the boy said looking at the girl up and down.

Lucy then realized that she had no bra on and her hair was a huge mess while Natsu was eyeing the girl up and down so she did the only thing she could do, she hid behind her door while she still stuck out her head to talk to him.

"Why the hell would you choose to go on a date right now? Have you ever heard of oh I don't know school?" The girl said in annoyance.

Natsu just chuckled, "Says the girl who never comes to class"

Lucy realized that he was in fact right. Who was she to scold him about not going to school? "Natsu, then what are you doing awake at this time? The sun isn't even out yet!"

"Like I said before, we're going on our date right now the whole day. So get dressed and let's go." The boys said. "I'll be waiting outside"

Lucy let out a sigh and agreed as she closed the door and quickly headed over to her closet. She scanned through each shirt, pants, dress, skirt that she had and she couldn't find anything to wear.

"Wait, he said casual right?" Lucy said to herself as she pulled out a white plain shirt with a pocket in the right chest side and had a tied-front. She then took out a pair of light blue jeans that were ripped from the front. She quickly brushed her hair as she stared into the mirror and gave a firm nod of agreement. She then put on her shoes and made her way out.

Her eyes widened as she saw Natsu leaning on a motorcycle with his hands in his pockets smirking at the girl. He found it amusing to see the girl with a shocked look on her face.

"We're going on that?" Lucy said, doubt present in her tone. Don't get me wrong Lucy is rather a dare devil but she's never ridden any motorcycles. She was terrified of them when she was young since they made a lot of scary noises and looked to be going way too fast for comfort.

Natsu chuckled at the blondes attempt to try and make it seem as if she weren't scared, "Yes we are. Here" the boy said as he tossed a white motorcycle helmet to the girl that Lucy caught in return.

Natsu then put on a black one also as he brought a leg over to sit on the motorcycle and started it. Lucy fidgeted every time as she heard the roar of the engine. Natsu turned her way and saw that she was hesitant and had a worried look on her face. The boy frowned but quickly gained his smile as he brought a hand towards the blonde.

"Don't worry. I promise you're safe in my hands okay? Come on" the boy said calmly with a sincere smile on his face looking into Lucy's eyes. She brought a hand up to take his but paused for a while until she finally took it and hopped on behind him as she wrapped her hands over his abdomen. He could tell she was scared by the way she was gripping him.

"Just relaxed and enjoy the ride Luce" Natsu said as he brushed his hand over hers.

The girl heard Natsu's words and quickly let out a breath she had no idea she was holding. Then she felt Natsu's hand touch her causing the girl to open her eyes and look at the boy. She had to admit, he looked rather hot with his helmet and a motorcycle.

As she was on her train of thought Natsu quickly sped away with Lucy instantly gripping him again. She then laid her head on his back as she shut her eyes. The girl was panicking at first, but she quickly got used to the wind hitting her face and how fast they were going.

X

They finally came to a stop and Lucy opened her eyes to see that they were at the beach. Lucy then brought a questioning look to Natsu but the boy didn't see as he was taking off his helmet. The girl then remembered that she was still holding him and quickly let go as she took off her helmet. She knew that her hair must have messed up a little for being in the helmet so the girl brushed her hair down so it can go back to normal.

"Natsu, what are we doing in the beach?" the girl questioned. They were exactly at the beach but more like in the boardwalk that gave them a view of the whole ocean. And since it was barely 5:30 people were obviously still asleep so they were the only two present.

Natsu walked over to the ledge where Lucy was and leaned on it as he stared into the ocean. "Just watch. This is only the first part of our date Luce" he said not turning towards the girl.

Lucy wanted to ask questions but she decided to keep them to herself. The blonde turned towards the ocean and waited. It had been exactly five minutes as she waited and the girl was starting to lose her patience. She was about to ask Natsu what exactly they were waiting for until she caught the glint from across the ocean. She turned her full attention towards it and realized that the sun was starting to come up. The girl immediately was mesmerized by how much color and brightness it brought. She completely forgot that someone else was with her but that other person wasn't exactly looking at the sunrise. He was looking at a blonde girl with a warm smile across his face.

The sunrise didn't take long till it was in the sky completely and Lucy was still staring at it in awe. However, the trance was broken when Natsu called to the girl to grab her attention.

"Step 1 complete. Ready for the next place Luce?" Natsu said with a wink.

Lucy smiled and walked by his side towards the motorcycle. "Definitely" the girl replied as Natsu smirked tossing the helmet back towards the girl.